As an Atlanta home inspector, I often run across polybutylene piping in the older homes that I inspect.  I also hear horror stories of where this type of piping has busted and left the home owner all wet.  As I was surfing the web I ran across the following information and thought it did a great job explaining what polybutylene is and the reasons that it causes problems.  Now once you read the following information and find that you are in need of a great plumbing company, then go on over to my friends at Majestic Plumbing or call them at 404-798-1269, they will take great care of you!

Here is the article that I ran across.

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as “the pipe of the future” and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the “Sun Belt” where residential construction was heavy through the 1980’s and early-to-mid 90’s, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states. These are typically gray or white in color with a dull finish. Most are shown with pipe attached. Figure (4) is a new fitting. The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured. How to Tell If You Have Poly Exterior – Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2″ or 1″ in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace; frequently it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shutoff valve is attached to the end of the water main. Also, you should check at the water meter that is located at the street, near the city water main. It is wise to check at both ends of the pipe because we have found cases where copper pipe enters the home, and poly pipe is at the water meter. Obviously, both pipes were used and connected somewhere underground. Interior – Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. Warning: In some regions of the country plumbers used copper “stub outs” where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly. See the photos below of polybutylene pipes and fittings. Will the Pipes Fail? While scientific evidence is scarce, it is believed that oxidants in the public water supplies, such as chlorine, react with the polybutylene piping and acetal fittings causing them to scale and flake and become brittle. Micro-fractures result, and the basic structural integrity of the system is reduced. Thus, the system becomes weak and may fail without warning causing damage to the building structure and personal property. It is believed that other factors may also contribute to the failure of polybutylene systems, such as improper installation, but it is virtually impossible to detect installation problems throughout an entire system. Throughout the 1980’s lawsuits were filed complaining of allegedly defective manufacturing and defective installation causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Although the manufacturers have never admitted that poly is defective, they have agreed to fund the Class Action settlement with an initial and minimum amount of $950 million. You’ll have to contact the appropriate settlement claim company to find out if you qualify under this settlement. “A series of reports have suggested that increased use of choloramines accelerates corrosion and degradation of some metals and elastomers common to distribution plumbing and appurtenances. With regard to elastomers, the study showed that with few exceptions, solutions of chloramines (either monochloramine or dichloramine) produced greater material swelling, deeper and more dense surface cracking, a more rapid loss of elasticity, and greater loss of tensile strength than equivalent concentrations of free chlorine.” —-Steven Reiber, HDR Engineering, American Water Works Association Research Foundation

Now with all that said and done, when you find your dream home, make sure that you get a thorough home inspection from the Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections, he serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. Call us today at 404-788-2581 for a thorough home inspection.  We won’t let you buy the money pit.

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Utility/Communication Connection Services where one call does it all, Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save money and simplify life!

You can also schedule your own Georgia home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time!

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Services Provided:

Alpharetta Home Inspections

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Cumming Home Inspections

Marietta Home Inspections

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Radon Inspections

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While out surfing the web I found the following article that I thought would be of useful information to my Atlanta home inspection customers.  I am all the time looking for interesting articles for home maintenance tips.  This one is worth some money.  Enjoy.

Get more for your money when purchasing replacement windows

(ARA) – Energy efficiency has gained national importance and window replacement is recognized as one pathway to aid in energy independence and the reduction of harmful global emissions.

Choosing replacement windows with energy-saving benefits is simple and the federal government also made it less expensive for homeowners with the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The bill includes the opportunity for homeowners to claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of eligible energy-efficient products to a maximum of $1,500 per household for 2009 and 2010 combined when used for remodeling and replacement. According to the IRS, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax liability and can be deducted directly from your taxes owed.

While energy efficient replacement windows are included in this tax credit, not all replacement windows will qualify. Paul Delahunt, president of Renewal by Andersen, says, given the new tax credit, now is the best time to replace your leaky, worn-out windows. But he also cautions homeowners to do their homework to make sure the windows they purchase will qualify.

To qualify, windows must provide high levels of energy efficiency in two categories: reduced heat loss and reduced heat gain. The measurement for heat loss is called U-Factor and the measurement for heat gain is called Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC. To meet the performance requirements, the window or door must have both a U-Factor and SHGC rating equal to or less than 0.30 in all climate zones in the U.S.

When comparing windows for energy performance — and the 2009/2010 tax credit — be sure to check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label that is displayed on the product. This label displays the U-Factor and SHGC ratings for the window or patio door. If the product does not have this label, then the unit does not have a certified NFRC value.

Qualifying replacement windows must be purchased and installed in a primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. While quality installation is a critical component of any successful window replacement project, installation costs are not included in the 2009/2010 tax credit. Your sales receipt should break out qualifying product costs separately.

In addition to your sales receipt, you will also need to save the NFRC label from each window or the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement with your tax documents.

Renewal by Andersen makes it easy for homeowners to take advantage of the new federal tax credit with its extensive selection of windows and patio doors with glass packages that meet or exceed the performance criteria to be eligible for the credit.

In fact, Delahunt says, virtually all Renewal by Andersen windows with High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass are eligible for the tax credit. These same windows with SmartSun glass are up to 47 percent more energy efficient in winter and up to 70 percent more energy efficient in summer compared to ordinary dual pane glass — making a big impact on reducing your energy bills.

Homeowners interested in learning more about Renewal by Andersen products that may qualify can visit www.renewalbyandersen.com or call (800) 630-5838.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

David Lelak of IHI Home Inspections serves Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Woodstock, Atlanta and all of North Georgia. 

We are proud to offer our new FREE Home Concierge Services where one call does it all, Satellite, Internet, Cable TV, Home Security, and Phone.  Call 1-866-594-4871 and provide them with access code 1008126.  Call our Free Home Concierge Services to save time, save money and simplify life!
You can also schedule your own home inspection today online.

We create Peace of Mind ONE Home Inspection at a time. 

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Most of the time home buyers start their conversation off on the phone with us like this “I’m buying a new home, how much does a home inspection cost?”

All to often I want to tell them that their first concern should not be about how much it cost, but about how much it can cost them if they end up hiring “Cheap Charlie.”  I know that there are several home inspectors out there lowering their prices to all most nothing, and while we have run specials and deals, I am proud to say that even when a deal was going on our average home inspection still took four to five hours.  We never make you stand around and wait at the house for your home inspection report.  We go over the major items with you and point them out if you haven’t attended the home inspection and then we upload the report later on.  This is after we have time to go over and make sure their are no errors.  Time is valuable and you don’t have time to be standing around waiting on the home inspection report.

But back to Cheap Charlie, here recently I have heard stories from real estate agents that tell me their client had a home inspector there and he was there for two hours and really didn’t find a lot.  Is this what you want, or do you want someone who is going to be thorough, giving you the ultimate negotiating power and keeping you from buying the money pit! Don’t assume that the home you are thinking of buying is in good condition.  Even new homes have issues, just ask me and I’ll be glad to tell you the different items I have found on brand new homes.

Your agent can recommend someone, but the choice is yours, “Cheap Charlie” or “Thorough David” you decide.  If you want a thorough North Georgia home inspection for a reasonable price call us today at 404-788-2581, you’ll be glad you did.

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Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak provides Atlanta home inspections and he often runs across some things that are quite humorous. During this Atlanta home inspection David runs across Bubba the plumber and his use of duck tape, you know the old saying if it can’t be fixed with duck tape it can’t be fixed. Well so often it can’t be fixed. lol This home inspection item will definately be written up on the home inspection report for the potential home buyers. 
So heres the video and if you want a thourough and quality home inspection give us a call at 404-788-2581.  There is a lot of people out there every day that don’t realize that they need a home inspection done on even the old homes let alone on the new ones.  Don’t let this be you. 

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Atlanta home inspector, David Lelak shares home maintenance tips and issues.  In the following video he talks about the need to have gutters cleaned and gutter guards installed on the gutters.  So often gutter gaurds could prevent you form having to dig up the entire drainage system that is attached to down spots. 

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Ok, I know what you’re thinking but I’m serious, there was several of us walking away with some out of the box ideas on how to use different Realtor tools.  And it’s Free right now, how long it will be going on, I don’t know, but just like I learned today the hard way “YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!”  Don’t miss out on this.  Get to class and get the help you need.  I have been attending the Women’s Council of Realtors Cherokee Chapter sponsored tech events lately.  Yesterday I was able to go to an FMLS, GMLS and Realist.com  class and was amazed at the tips, tricks and information that was shared with everyone.  There was about eight to ten of us there and we really got some great information.  Some really missed out.  Everyone left feeling like they had been given some gold nuggets and they said “We’re coming back for more!”    Now this is the cool part is these labs are hands on type training.  Bring your laptop and you’re sitting there working on whatever you need to be working on whether it be blogging, social networking, creating special reports in FMLS, learning new tips and setting up your profile on GMLS Pro, and should you run into a problem you have someone there to answer your questions. Here’s the amazing part of the deal THEY’RE FREE to anyone who wants to participate.  Come one, come all.  Here is a list of classes that are tentatively setup. 

Classes are being held at

2205 Riverstone Blvd., Suite 107

Canton, GA  30114

I’ll be there participating and hope to see you there also.

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We love to get out in the community and one of the organizations or charities that we love to be a part of is the Ruth House which is a Christ centered house for women that helps them get free from addictions.  The Ruth House is hosting an old fashion sock hop, with the oldies music, the poodle skirts and oxford shoes.  There will also be ”brief appearances from some of your favorite old time stars” which should be nothing less than hilarious and fun.  Cost is $50.00 per couple which includes dinner and dancing.  Child care is 5.00 per child.  This is a great way to get out and enjoy an evening with your sweetie and support a local ministry.  We have been a part of this ministry for many years and we are amazed at the lives changed and the growth of the house. 

When: Friday Night, February 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Where: True Life Church in Ballground Ga

Benefits: All proceeds go directly to benefit the Ruth House.

Sign up here http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/md5hm7ts6kj3gx25r 

Won’t you join us there?

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The cost of a home inspection from a certified Georgia home inspector is very small when compared to the potential cost of troubles a simple home inspection might uncover.   I often find different items on almost every roof that I walk, most of the time it is not a big issue, but sometimes the entire roof may need replaced.  I also check in the attic, because one of the things that I have found is, if the roof has been leaking then you can have damage to the roof flooring, the insulation and the ceilings of the home.  I don’t know if you have checked the prices on a new roof or even roof repairs lately, but I just had mine replaced and it ran nearly $15,000. That’s a pretty big price to pay out simply because you didn’t get the house checked out. Before you agree to purchase your next home do yourself a great big favor and order a home inspection by a certified Atlanta home inspector. You will be glad you did in the long run.

 We also provide roof inspections for those who have just had roofing contractors come out and replace or repair their roof.  When we provide this service, we walk every area of the roof and the last roof inspection we provided we had over 60 pictures of items on a brand new roof. 

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As an Atlanta home inspector I try and get testimonials from my Atlanta home inspection clients.  I really like to do home inspections for the first time home buyer.  I not only go over different things that is wrong, but I enjoy going over the different items and maintenance issues that a new home owner will have.  I love taking the time to go over different questions that a new home owner has. 

Below is a testimonial from a first time home buyer, I hope you enjoy it.

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